Purchasing a soil and adding 50% perlite is a half-measure that doesn't change the fact that perched water in the soil will still be present and the ht of the perched water table will be the same as it would be sans the perlite. To visualize, picture in your mind's eye mixing perlite into pudding at a half & half ratio and see how well-aerated and fast draining the pudding becomes. You'd still be growing in pudding because the perlite didn't change anything. At a 50/50 mix, fine soil particles COMPLETELY fill the air spaces between the perlite particles. This means the PWT will still be present at the same ht in a 50/50 mix of peat and a bagged soil. All the perlite accomplishes is an o/a reduction in water retention at container capacity. It doesn't increase aeration or drainage or the ht of the PWT. It can't until the perlite fraction reaches a threshold point where there in no longer enough small particles in the soil mix to fill the air spaces between the perlite particles. This might not even be achievable with 100% perlite if it the perlite is small and contains a lot of very fine particles. If you want better aeration and fast drainage, you need to base your soils on larger particulates - a lot of larger particulates. Half big stuff and half small stuff leaves you growing in a mix with all the negatives associated with all small stuff. Al

Where are the adult Towhees? Cathy is right, get the bird to a rehabber right away, a cat attack is usually fatal even if the wound is minor. It needs antibiotics if it was bitten or clawed. If the cat did not actually make contact you still need to speak with a rehabber for instructions. Let us know where you are and we will help you find one.

My cat brought me a baby mocking bird. (Unharmed) I guess it knew it needed help. Anyway, it is eating very well and getting stronger by the day, but my main concern is that it looks like it's one leg has been broken at the elbow (if that's what you call it) it can move the toes a little bit but can't use them, and the one longer toe it keeps attacking like crazy with its beak, I don't know if the nerves are damaged and causing it pain. I guess my main question is , will this bird survive once it can fly? Or should I plan on keeping this bird in a large cage outside for its protection?? Does the leg need to be fixed? Or will it heal on its own?!?! any help would greatly be appreciated! thanks anna

For the birds, though, whenever I comb my cats, I pull the fur off the brush and put it outside. One time I found a bird nest and it was lined with my cat's fur. :)